U.S. patent application number 14/192918 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-09 for optical scope for imaging of an object.
This patent application is currently assigned to CARL ZEISS SPORTS OPTICS GMBH. The applicant listed for this patent is CARL ZEISS SPORTS OPTICS GMBH. Invention is credited to Christian Sinn.
Application Number | 20140300794 14/192918 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51654178 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140300794 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sinn; Christian |
October 9, 2014 |
OPTICAL SCOPE FOR IMAGING OF AN OBJECT
Abstract
An optical scope has at least one optical element which is used
to image an object. An optical element is, for example, understood
to mean a lens unit, a prism, or a prism system composed of
multiple prisms. A lens unit is, for example, understood to mean
one single lens or a unit which is composed of at least two lenses.
It is provided to make the optical element of glass, namely
N-BK7HT, N-SK2HT, F2HT, N-LASF45HT, SF6HT, N-SF6HTultra, N-SF6HT,
SF57HTultra, N-SF57HTultra, N-SF57HT, N-LASF9HT and/or N-BAK4HT.
The above-named glasses are glasses of the SCHOTT corporation.
Inventors: |
Sinn; Christian; (Giessen,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CARL ZEISS SPORTS OPTICS GMBH |
WETZLAR |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
CARL ZEISS SPORTS OPTICS
GMBH
WETZLAR
DE
|
Family ID: |
51654178 |
Appl. No.: |
14/192918 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13715059 |
Dec 14, 2012 |
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14192918 |
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61771183 |
Mar 1, 2013 |
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61570982 |
Dec 15, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
348/335 ;
359/431 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/23245 20130101;
G02B 23/02 20130101; G02B 23/18 20130101; G02B 23/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/335 ;
359/431 |
International
Class: |
G02B 23/02 20060101
G02B023/02; H04N 5/232 20060101 H04N005/232 |
Claims
1. An optical scope (1) for imaging an object (O), having at least
one first optical element (17A, 17B, 18A, 18B, 19A, 19B, 21A, 21B,
21C, 21D) made of glass, and having at least one second optical
element (17A, 17B, 18A, 18B, 19A, 19B, 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D) made of
glass, characterized in that the first optical element (17A, 17B,
18A, 18B, 19A, 19B, 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D) is made of at least one of
the following glass types: N-BK7HT, N-SK2HT, F2HT, N-LASF45HT,
SF6HT, N-SF6HTultra, N-SF6HT, SF57HTultra, N-SF57HTultra, N-SF57HT,
N-LASF9HT as well as N-BAK4HT; and in that the second optical
element (17A, 17B, 18A, 18B, 19A, 19B, 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D) is made
of a lead-containing glass for increasing the transmission.
2. The optical scope (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that the second optical element (17A, 17B, 18A, 18B, 19A, 19B, 21A,
21B, 21C, 21D) is made of at least one of the following
lead-containing glasses: K7, K10, KZFS4, KZFS5, KZFS12, LAFN7,
LLF1, LF5, F2, F4, F5, SF1, SF2, SF4, SF5, SF6, SF10, SF11, SF14,
SF15, SF56A, SF57, SF66, F2HT, SF6HT as well as SF57HTultra.
3. The optical scope (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in
that the optical scope (1) has at least one objective lens (14A,
14B) which includes the first optical element (18A, 18B, 19A,
19B).
4. The optical scope (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the optical scope (1) has at least one ocular
(17A, 17B) which includes the second optical element.
5. The optical scope (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the optical scope (1) has an image detection
unit which is designed as a digital recording medium.
6. The optical scope (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that it has at least one of the following
features: the first optical element (18A, 18B, 19A, 19B) is
designed as a lens unit; or the second optical element (17A, 17B)
is designed as a lens unit.
7. The optical scope (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the first optical element (21 A to 21 D)
and/or the second optical element is/are designed as a prism.
8. The optical scope (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the optical scope (1) is designed as a
monocular, a binocular, a telescope, or a spotting scope.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to an optical scope for imaging an
object, e.g. on an image detection unit. An optical scope is, for
example, understood here to mean a monocular, a binocular, a
telescope, or a spotting scope. Furthermore, an image detection
unit is, for example, understood to mean a human eye or, for
example, a digital recording medium. A CCD is in particular
suitable as the digital recording medium.
[0002] Optical scopes of the above-named type are known from the
prior art. The known optical scopes usually have at least one
optical unit which is used to image an object. For example, the
optical unit is designed as an objective lens, as an ocular, or as
a prism system.
[0003] Each of the optical units in turn has at least one optical
element or at least two optical elements. A single lens or a
plurality of lenses, e.g. a lens component, is provided as the
optical element, for example. In a prism system, the optical
element is designed as a prism. Each optical element has imaging
properties which is determined by the transmission of the light
incident onto the optical element, among other things. The
transmission is the permeability of the medium of which the optical
element is composed. Depending on the property of the medium, light
incident onto the optical element is reflected on at least one
boundary surface of the optical element or is partially absorbed
when it passes through the optical element. A certain portion of
the incident light which has not been reflected and not been
absorbed exits the optical element again. This portion of light is
called the transmitted light.
[0004] A variable which describes the transmission is the
transmittance T(.lamda.). The latter is a function of the
wavelength and is defined as the ratio of a light intensity
transmitted through an optical element to a light intensity
incident onto the optical element. A wavelength-based weighting
provides a transmission number which also describes the property of
the transmission of the optical element. In particular, sensitivity
curves V(.lamda.) of the bright-adapted human eye and V'(.lamda.)
of the dark-adapted human eye are used as weighting factors. The
following equation applies:
T = .intg. - .infin. + .infin. T ( .lamda. ) V ( .lamda. ) .lamda.
##EQU00001## T ' = .intg. - .infin. + .infin. T ( .lamda. ) V ' (
.lamda. ) .lamda. ##EQU00001.2##
[0005] T is identified as the transmission number for the day
transmission. T' is identified as the transmission for the night
transmission.
[0006] The transmission of an optical system (system transmission)
is determined by the transmission of its individual optical
elements. It is known to indicate the system transmission by a
value so that the image quality of the optical system is
recognized.
[0007] It is furthermore known that the transmission decreases in
optical scopes from the prior art, the more optical elements are
installed in the optical scope, since incident light is reflected
on an increasing number of optical elements.
[0008] Furthermore, environmental conditions exist which encumber
or render impossible the observation of an object using a known
optical scope. For example, it is difficult to observe an object
using the known optical scopes at dawn or during the night. Due to
the little light incidence and due to the little transmission of
the light incident into the known optical scope it is difficult to
obtain a good quality image.
[0009] Reference is additionally made to WO 2004/061487 A2 and U.S.
2006/0238732 A1.
[0010] It is desirable that the optical scope (and thus also the
optical units or optical elements forming the optical scope), using
which an observation of an object is carried out, has the highest
transmission possible. The invention is therefore based on the
object of providing an optical scope which has a high
transmission.
[0011] This object is achieved according to the invention by an
optical scope having the features of Claim 1. Further features of
the invention result from the description that follows, the
appended claims, and/or the appended figures.
[0012] According to the invention, the optical scope is designed to
image an object. It has at least one first optical element and at
least one second optical element. Both the first optical element
and the second optical element are used to image the object. Here,
an optical element is, for example, understood to mean a lens unit,
a prism, or a prism system composed of multiple prisms. A lens unit
is, for example, understood here to mean one single lens or a unit
which is composed of at least two lenses.
[0013] It is now provided to make the first optical element of
glass, namely of at least one of the following glasses (glass
types): N-BK7HT, N-SK2HT, F2HT, N-LASF45HT, SF6HT, N-SF6HTultra,
N-SF6HT, SF57HTultra, N-SF57HTultra, N-SF57HT, N-LASF9HT as well as
N-BAK4HT. The above-named glasses are glasses of the SCHOTT
corporation. It is furthermore provided to make the second optical
element of a lead-containing glass for increasing the
transmission.
[0014] The optical scope according to the invention is based on the
surprising finding that the transmission of the optical scope is
significantly improved compared to the prior art, if a first
optical element which is arranged in an optical scope and is made
of at least one of the glasses specified above is combined with a
second optical element which contains lead. Experiments showed that
an increase in transmission of up to 3% is readily achievable.
[0015] In particular, it is possible to use the optical scope to
observe and image an object at unfavorable environmental
conditions, e.g. at dawn or at night.
[0016] If the optical scope according to the invention has multiple
first optical elements, the invention provides that at least one of
these multiple first optical elements is formed by at least one of
the above-named glasses specified for the first optical element.
The invention does not necessarily provide that all of the multiple
first optical elements are formed by at least one of the
above-named glasses specified for the first optical element.
However, one embodiment of the invention does provide that multiple
or even each of the multiple first optical elements are/is formed
by at least one of the above-named glasses specified for the first
optical element.
[0017] If the optical scope according to the invention has multiple
second optical elements, the invention provides that at least one
of these multiple second optical elements is made of a
lead-containing glass. The invention does not necessarily provide
that all of the multiple second optical elements are made of
lead-containing glass. However, one embodiment of the invention
does provide that multiple or even each of the multiple second
optical elements are/is made of lead-containing glass. In this
case, it is provided, for example, that all of the second optical
elements are made of an identical lead-containing glass. As an
alternative thereto, it is provided that the second optical
elements are made of different lead-containing glasses.
[0018] In one exemplary embodiment of the optical scope according
to the invention, it is additionally or alternatively provided that
the second optical element is made of at least one of the following
lead-containing glasses: K7, K10, KZFS4, KZFS5, KZFS12, LAFN7,
LLF1, LF5, F2, F4, F5, SF1, SF2, SF4, SF5, SF6, SF10, SF11, SF14,
SF15, SF56A, SF57, SF66, F2HT, SF6HT as well as SF57HTultra. The
notation refers to glasses of the Schott corporation.
[0019] In one exemplary embodiment of the optical scope according
to the invention, it is additionally or alternatively provided that
the optical scope has at least one objective lens which includes
the first optical element. In another exemplary embodiment, it is
additionally or alternatively provided that the optical scope has
at least one ocular which has the second optical element. In a
further exemplary embodiment of the optical scope according to the
invention, it is provided in addition or as an alternative thereto
that the objective lens has the second optical element and that the
ocular has the first optical element. In the case of the invention,
the first optical element and the second optical element can always
be arranged in the optical scope in such a way that an increase in
transmission is achieved.
[0020] In yet another exemplary embodiment of the optical scope
according to the invention, it is additionally or alternatively
provided that an image detection unit is provided which is, for
example, designed as a digital recording medium, in particular as a
CCD.
[0021] As already mentioned above, the first optical element is
designed as a lens unit, for example, specifically as a first lens
unit. In another exemplary embodiment, it is additionally or
alternatively provided that the second optical element is designed
as a second lens unit.
[0022] In yet another exemplary embodiment of the optical scope
according to the invention, the first optical element and/or the
second optical element is/are designed as a prism. In another
exemplary embodiment of the optical scope according to the
invention, the optical scope has multiple prisms which are arranged
in the optical scope as optical elements.
[0023] In another exemplary embodiment of the optical scope
according to the invention, the optical scope is designed as a
monocular, a binocular, a telescope, or a spotting scope. The
invention, is, however, not limited to the above-named exemplary
embodiments.
[0024] The invention is now elucidated in greater detail with the
aid of the figures with reference to one exemplary embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 1 shows a first schematic view of an optical scope;
and
[0026] FIG. 2 shows a second schematic view of the optical scope
according to FIG. 1.
[0027] The invention is discussed in the following with reference
to an optical system in the form of a binocular 1 (referred to in
the following only as optical scope 1). It is explicitly pointed
out that the invention is not limited to a binocular. The invention
is rather suitable for every optical system, for example also for a
monocular, a telescope, or a spotting scope.
[0028] FIG. 1 shows a first schematic view of the optical scope 1
which has a tube-shaped first housing part 2 and a tube-shaped
second housing part 3. A first optical axis 10 runs through the
first housing part 2. In contrast, a second optical axis 11 runs
through the second housing part 3. The first housing part 2 is
connected to the second housing part 3 via a folding bridge 4. The
folding bridge 4 has a first hinge part 5 which is integrally
connected to the first housing part 2. Furthermore, the folding
bridge 4 has a second hinge part 6 which is situated on the second
housing part 3. The first hinge part 5 has a first receptacle part
7 and a second receptacle part 8 between which a third receptacle
part 9 of the second hinge part 6 is situated. An axle bolt (not
illustrated) runs through the first receptacle part 7, the second
receptacle part 8, and the third receptacle part 9, so that the
relative position of the first housing part 2 and the second
housing part 3 may be attuned to one another. In this way, it is
possible to attune the first housing part 2 and the second housing
part 3 to the interocular distance of a user, so that, on the one
hand, the first housing part 2 is situated on the one of the two
eyes of the user and, on the other hand, so that the second housing
part 3 is situated on the other one of the two eyes of the
user.
[0029] FIG. 2 shows another view of the optical scope 1. The first
housing part 2 has a first optical subsystem 12. The first optical
subsystem 12 is provided with a first objective lens 14A, with a
first prism system 16A, and with a first ocular 17A. On the first
ocular 17A, a first eye 15A of a user may be situated to observe an
object O. The first optical axis 10 of the first optical subsystem
12 is slightly offset laterally due to the first prism system 16A,
so that the first optical axis 10 consequently has a stepped
design.
[0030] In this exemplary embodiment, the first objective lens 14A
includes a first front unit 18A and a first focusing unit 19A.
Other embodiments of the first objective lens 14A provide a
different number of individual lenses or lens components made of
lenses. For the purpose of focusing the object O observed through
the optical scope 1, either the first ocular 17A or the first
focusing unit 19A may be axially displaced along the first optical
axis 10.
[0031] The second housing part 3 has a second optical subsystem 13.
The second optical subsystem 13 is provided with a second objective
lens 14B, with a second prism system 16B, and with a second ocular
17B. On the second ocular 17B, a second eye 15B of the user may be
situated to observe the object O. The second optical axis 11 of the
second optical subsystem 13 is slightly offset laterally due to the
second prism system 16B, so that the second optical axis 11
consequently has a stepped design.
[0032] In this exemplary embodiment, the second objective lens 14B
includes a second front unit 18B and a second focusing unit 19B.
Other embodiments of the second objective lens 14B provide a
different number of individual lenses or lens components made of
lenses. For the purpose of focusing the object O observed through
the optical scope 1, either the second ocular 17B or the second
focusing unit 19B may be axially displaced along the second optical
axis 11.
[0033] In both above-described optical subsystems 12, 13, the beam
direction of the light beams incident into the optical subsystems
12, 13 is as follows: object O--objective lens 14A, 14B--prism
system 16A, 16B--ocular 17A, 17B--eye 15A, 15B.
[0034] In the exemplary embodiment described here, a rotary knob 20
is situated for focusing purposes on the folding bridge 4, this
rotary knob allowing the first focusing unit 19A and the second
focusing unit 19B to be jointly displaced along the optical axes 10
and 11.
[0035] In the exemplary embodiment described here, both the first
objective lens 14A and the second objective lens 14B generate a
real image, which is inverted in relation to the observed object O,
in an image plane associated with the particular objective lens
14A, 14B. The first prism system 16A associated with the first
objective lens 14A as well as the second prism system 16B
associated with the second objective lens 14B are used for image
erection. In this way, the inverted image is erected again and is
imaged in a new image plane, the left-hand intermediate image plane
22A and the right-hand intermediate image plane 22B. The first
prism system 16A and the second prism system 16B may be constructed
as an Abbe-Konig prism system, Schmidt-Pechan prism system,
Uppendahl prism system, Porro prism system, or any other prism
system variant.
[0036] A first field stop which sharply defines the field of view
is, for example, situated in the left-hand intermediate image plane
22A. Furthermore, a second field stop which sharply defines the
field of view may be situated in the right-hand intermediate image
plane 22B.
[0037] The first ocular 17A is used to image the image of the
left-hand intermediate image plane 22A at any desired distance,
e.g. ad infinitum or at another distance. Furthermore, the second
ocular 17B is used to image the image of the right-hand
intermediate image plane 22B at any desired distance, e.g. ad
infinitum or at another distance.
[0038] The aperture of the first optical subsystem 12 and the
second optical subsystem 13 (not illustrated) may either be formed
by a mount of an optical element of the corresponding optical
subsystems 12 and 13 or by a separate aperture. It may be imaged in
the beam direction by the corresponding optical subsystems 12 and
13 in a plane which is situated in the beam direction behind the
corresponding ocular 17A or 17B and is typically spaced at 5 mm to
25 mm therefrom. This plane is referred to as the plane of the exit
pupil.
[0039] The optical scope 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 has
multiple optical units, namely the first objective lens 14A, the
second objective lens 14B, the first prism system 16A, the second
prism system 16B, the first ocular 17A, as well as the second
ocular 17B. The first objective lens 14A is composed of multiple
(first) optical elements, namely the first front unit 18A and the
first focusing unit 19A. The second objective lens 14B also has
multiple (first) optical elements, namely the second front unit 18B
and the second focusing unit 19B. The first prism system 16A is
composed of (first) optical elements in the form of a first prism
21A and a second prism 21B.
[0040] The second prism system 16B is composed of a third prism 21C
and a fourth prism 21D. At least one of the abovementioned (first)
optical elements of the optical scope 1 is made of at least one of
the following glasses (glass types): N-BK7HT, N-SK2HT, F2HT,
N-LASF45HT, SF6HT, N-SF6HTultra, N-SF6HT, SF57HTultra,
N-SF57HTultra, N-SF57HT, N-LASF9HT as well as N-BAK4HT. In
particular, it is provided to make at least two or each of the
above-named (first) optical elements of at least one of the
above-named glasses. The above-named glasses are glasses of the
SCHOTT corporation.
[0041] Properties of the above-named glasses for the (first)
optical element are indicated in the table below. The properties
are quoted from a publication of the SCHOTT corporation.
TABLE-US-00001 Glass n.sub.d v.sub.d Tau N-BK7HT 1.51680 64.17
0.998 N-SK2HT 1.60738 56.65 0.996 F2HT 1.62004 36.37 0.996
N-LASF45HT 1.80107 34.97 0.886 SF6HT 1.80518 25.43 0.941
N-SF6HTultra 1.80518 25.36 0.887 N-SF6HT 1.80518 25.36 0.877
SF57HTultra 1.84666 23.83 0.924 N-SF57HTultra 1.84666 23.78 0.830
N-SF57HT 1.84666 23.78 0.793 N-LASF9HT 1.85025 32.17 0.843 N-BAK4HT
1.56883 55.98 0.993
[0042] In the table, the individual glass types are indicated, the
notation of the glass types referring to glass types of the SCHOTT
corporation. Moreover, the refractive index is denoted with the
reference symbol n.sub.d and the Abbe number is denoted with the
reference symbol v.sub.d in the table. Furthermore, the
transmittance, i.e., the ratio of the light incident onto the
optical element to the transmitted light, is indicated with the
reference symbol Tau.sub.i. The values indicated in the above-named
table refer to an optical element of 10 mm thickness and at an
incident light having a wavelength of 400 nm.
[0043] In this exemplary embodiment, the first ocular 17A and the
second ocular 17B are each formed by an individual (second) optical
element, namely an individual lens unit. This individual (second)
optical element is made of a lead-containing glass, for example one
of the lead-containing glasses already mentioned above. A further
exemplary embodiment provides for using multiple lens units which
are made of one of the lead-containing glasses mentioned above, for
example of SF57HTUltra.
[0044] The combination of the (first) optical elements of the
optical scope 1 with the (second) optical element achieves a
greater transmission of the optical scope 1 than comparable optical
systems from the prior art. In particular, it is possible to use
the optical scope 1 to observe and image an object under poor
environmental conditions, e.g. at dawn or at night.
[0045] In another exemplary embodiment, it is provided to use in
the optical scope 1 at least one optical element which is made of
at least one of the above-named glass types for the first optical
element. Additionally, this glass type may be lead-containing. This
glass type has an absorption edge which is shifted into the
short-wave spectrum.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0046] 1 optical scope
[0047] 2 first housing part
[0048] 3 second housing part
[0049] 4 folding bridge
[0050] 5 first hinge part
[0051] 6 second hinge part
[0052] 7 first receptacle part
[0053] 8 second receptacle part
[0054] 9 third receptacle part
[0055] 10 first optical axis
[0056] 11 second optical axis
[0057] 12 first optical subsystem
[0058] 13 second optical subsystem
[0059] 14A first objective lens
[0060] 14B second objective lens
[0061] 15A first eye
[0062] 15B second eye
[0063] 16A first prism system
[0064] 16B second prism system
[0065] 17A first ocular
[0066] 17B second ocular
[0067] 18A first front unit
[0068] 18B second front unit
[0069] 19A first focusing unit
[0070] 19B second focusing unit
[0071] 20 rotary knob
[0072] 21A first prism
[0073] 21B second prism
[0074] 21C third prism
[0075] 21D fourth prism
[0076] 22A left-hand intermediate image plane
[0077] 22B right-hand intermediate image plane
[0078] O object
* * * * *